TIME: 101412Z DEC 25
INTELLIGENCE SITUATION REPORT (ISR) - OPERATIONAL LEVEL
1. SITUATION OVERVIEW
1.1 Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain
The operational picture remains dominated by the stabilization efforts in Donetsk (Pokrovsk) and the developing envelopment threat in Zaporizhzhia (Stepnohorsk/Huliaipole). The current priority is managing the RF kinetic and hybrid escalation against Ukrainian Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
- Pokrovsk Axis: UAF counter-infiltration operations appear successful in stabilizing the immediate perimeter breach. 132nd DShV reported repelling a key RF assault. The focus shifts from emergency perimeter stabilization to clearing residual RF elements within the initial Urban Built-up Area (UBA).
- Zaporizhzhia Axis: The flanking maneuver by the 38th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (GMRB) near Huliaipole remains the most acute maneuver threat. The fragmentation of the UAF "BRAVO-BLOCK" reserve exacerbates the vulnerability of forward units.
- Black Sea/Odesa: The RF public warning regarding "piracy" retaliation against Odesa represents a clear escalation of the maritime threat, shifting the immediate focus to high-value port CNI and naval bases.
1.2 Weather and Environmental Factors
The environmental threat posed by the Pechenihy Dam strike (Kharkiv) remains the primary non-kinetic factor. We maintain a high confidence that this was a deliberate act of hydro-weaponization intended to degrade UAF defensive positioning and complicate logistics in the Northeast sector.
- INTELLIGENCE GAP 1 (PRIORITY HIGH): Structural integrity assessment of Pechenihy Dam. Current status of water levels and time-to-catastrophic failure remains unknown (Carryover from previous report).
1.3 Current Force Dispositions
UAF forces are shifting assets for internal security and CNI defense while maintaining holding actions in the East and South. RF appears to be consolidating gains in Pokrovsk and preparing for potential deep strikes related to the recent Odesa warning.
2. ENEMY ANALYSIS (RF THREAT ASSESSMENT)
2.1 Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action
RF intent is focused on achieving operational paralysis through multi-domain pressure: CNI destruction (Hydro/Energy), deep CI operations, and high-attrition ground assault saturation.
- Force Generation (FACT): RF claims 400,000 personnel signed contract service in 2025, plus 34,000 volunteers. (Confidence: HIGH)
- Analytical Judgment: This claim, even if inflated, is propagated to reinforce the narrative of inexhaustible RF manpower, intended to degrade UAF domestic morale and Western commitment. RF retains the capacity to sustain current attrition rates into 2026.
- Hybrid/CI Operations (FACT): FSB reported successful interdiction of alleged Ukrainian agents near the Lithuanian border (Kaliningrad region) and the dismantling of an alleged migration ring led by a Ukrainian national. (Confidence: HIGH)
- Analytical Judgment: RF intelligence services are actively pursuing UAF intelligence operations deep within the Russian Federation, suggesting high efficacy in internal counter-intelligence and potential penetration capabilities.
2.2 Recent Tactical Changes or Adaptations
The RF AD umbrella continues to be a key element of operational security, though UAF is effectively challenging it.
- Air Defense (FACT): UAF claimed destruction of 2x Tor-M1 and 1x modernized Buk-M3 SAM system via drone strikes. (Confidence: MEDIUM - Based on credible visual BDA.)
- Analytical Judgment: While RF attempts to reinforce its AD capabilities (as suggested by spiked activity at 15th AAMB sites in the previous report), UAF drone strike packages are proving successful against high-value RF assets. This capability must be leveraged to enable further deep strikes (e.g., against logistics nodes like Fastiv or strategic C2 targets).
2.3 Logistics and Sustainment Status
RF sustainment remains focused on replacing materiel losses and leveraging demographic depth. The confirmation of highly effective UAF strikes against high-value SAM systems indicates potential vulnerability in protecting rear-area logistics hubs. RF deep battle counter-attacks (e.g., Fastiv rail bypass strikes) continue to attempt to sever UAF supply lines.
2.4 Command and Control Effectiveness
RF strategic C2 remains cohesive, demonstrated by the synchronized use of deep fires (CNI strikes) and maneuver elements (Pokrovsk, Huliaipole). RF Information Operations (IO) are well-coordinated with kinetic actions (e.g., Odesa threat preceding likely strike operations).
3. FRIENDLY FORCES (UAF)
3.1 Ukrainian Force Posture and Readiness
UAF forces demonstrated professional response readiness in the Pokrovsk UBA, successfully transitioning to Counter-Infiltration Operations (CIO) and repelling assaults. Readiness is high in key axes, but operational depth is threatened by:
- Reserve Fragmentation: The unaddressed fragmentation and dispersal issues of the "BRAVO-BLOCK" reserve remain a critical operational constraint in the Zaporizhzhia sector.
- CI Vulnerability: The fallout from the Kuzmuk dismissal (TrO CP/cache exposure) necessitates continuous relocation and establishment of secure alternative CPs.
3.2 Recent Tactical Successes or Setbacks
- SUCCESSES (FACT): Repulsion of RF assault near Pokrovsk by 132nd DShV; successful destruction of critical RF SAM assets (Buk-M3, Tor-M1). SSO operational success documented in Donetsk forests.
- SETBACKS (JUDGMENT): The PGO's decision to restrict public access to military crime statistics (SZCH/AWOL) is an indicator of internal security pressure and potential morale issues requiring immediate command attention and mitigating StratCom effort.
3.3 Resource Requirements and Constraints
- CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: Immediate deployment of specialized Counter-Intelligence (CI) teams to audit and secure all remaining Territorial Defense (TrO) CPs and materiel caches.
- OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINT: Limited mobile Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) to protect CNI across the vast theater, particularly key rail and port infrastructure (Fastiv, Odesa).
4. INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT (IE)
4.1 Propaganda and Disinformation Campaigns
- RF Narratives (Escalation): RF is intensifying its "Piracy/Retaliation" narrative against Odesa, likely setting conditions for immediate and severe kinetic strikes against the port CNI. The "Endless Manpower" narrative (400k contracts) aims to fatigue UAF and Western support. RF also attempts to generate localized confusion by claiming UAF strikes on civilian targets (Oleshky hospital).
- UAF Counter-Narratives: Focus on operational resilience, demonstrating military success (SAM destruction, SSO ambushes), and reinforcing domestic cultural stability (Christmas cost reporting).
4.2 Public Sentiment and Morale Factors
Public sentiment analysis indicates domestic concern regarding frontline resilience (suggested by the PGO censorship of AWOL data). Proactive UAF StratCom emphasizing accountability and resilience is necessary to counter the combined effect of RF IO and domestic security concerns.
4.3 International Support and Diplomatic Developments
No new diplomatic developments were reported. The US political anecdote (Rubio/typography) is irrelevant noise in the context of critical military aid decisions.
5. PREDICTIVE ANALYSIS
5.1 Most Likely Enemy Courses of Action (MLCOA)
RF conducts synchronized CNI destruction and high-pressure ground operations. (Confidence: HIGH)
- Deep Strike Consolidation (Odesa): NLT 121800Z DEC 25, RF launches a major missile/drone strike package targeting port CNI in the Odesa region, following the public "piracy" warning (Supported by Dempster-Shafer data: 31.7% belief in missile/airstrike on Odesa).
- Pokrovsk Reinforcement: RF commits follow-on mechanized elements to reinforce the initial penetration point in Pokrovsk, attempting to fix UAF tactical reserves and prevent a full perimeter seal.
- CI Exploitation: RF utilizes intelligence derived from the Kuzmuk breach (if confirmed and exploitable) to target relocated TrO CPs or major ammunition nodes behind the current front line.
5.2 Most Dangerous Enemy Courses of Action (MDCOA)
RF achieves operational envelopment and environmental disaster. (Confidence: MEDIUM)
- Stepnohorsk Encirclement: The 38th GMRB successfully completes the flanking maneuver against Huliaipole/Stepnohorsk NLT 130600Z DEC 25, trapping UAF forward elements and forcing an emergency, attritional withdrawal.
- Pechenihy Collapse: Catastrophic failure of the Pechenihy Dam, resulting in localized flooding that washes out key bridges and supply lines in the Kharkiv sector, forcing a significant operational redeployment under fire.
5.3 Timeline Estimates and Decision Points
| Event | Estimated Timeline | Decision Point |
|---|
| RF Strike on Odesa CNI | NLT 48 Hours | Decision to redeploy naval or specialized AD assets for CNI protection. |
| Containment of Pokrovsk Breach | NLT 72 Hours | Decision to commit operational reserves (if needed) or shift to counter-offensive operations. |
| 38th GMRB Envelopment | NLT 96 Hours | Decision to execute pre-planned withdrawal from Stepnohorsk salient or reinforce with general reserves. |
ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS
COMMAND PRIORITY: COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE AND CNI DEFENSE
| Category | Action | Priority | Execution Order |
|---|
| COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE (J2/J3) | FULL RED PLAN EXECUTION. Immediately assume all TrO CPs, routes, cache maps, and personnel lists known to the dismissed official (Kuzmuk) are compromised. Execute full electromagnetic (EM) signature change and physical relocation of all TrO assets within 12 hours. | CRITICAL | 1 |
| CNI DEFENSE (J3/Eng) | Odesa AD Hardening. Immediately redeploy two (2) priority mobile SHORAD batteries (e.g., Gepard or equivalent) to protect high-value port infrastructure (Grain terminals, Naval HQ) in anticipation of RF strike operations (MLCOA 5.1.1). | CRITICAL | 2 |
| MANEUVER (J3 South) | Stabilize Zaporizhzhia Depth. Immediately accelerate the assembly and staging of the "BRAVO-BLOCK" reserve, prioritizing troop protection against aerial mining (Mangas) and establishing hardened assembly areas. Issue preemptive dispersal/withdrawal orders for forward Stepnohorsk units if 38th GMRB velocity increases beyond 10km/12hr. | URGENT | 3 |
| STRATCOM (P7) | Frame Internal Integrity. Initiate a public information campaign acknowledging the difficulty of prosecuting military crimes (SZCH) while strongly affirming the command's commitment to justice and resilience, directly addressing the PGO censorship fallout. | URGENT | 4 |
| DEEP FIRE (J5/J3) | Exploit AD Kill Chain. Leverage the confirmed destruction of the Buk-M3 and Tor systems to enable two (2) deep strike missions against priority RF logistics targets (e.g., Taganrog rail junction or secondary logistics CPs) NLT 122000Z DEC 25. | MEDIUM | 5 |